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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vaanile Mannile

From Irulum Oliyum · 1971

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Irulum Oliyum
Movie release year
1971
Lyrics added on
26 Aug 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ammaaa…..aaa….
Vaanilae mannilae neerilae poovilae
Ellaam needhaanamma
Selvam needhaan amma
Un maarbilae ennai thaalaattamma
Un madiyilae ennai seeraattammaa
Vaanilae mannilae neerilae poovilae
Ellaam needhaanamma
Selvam needhaan amma
Un maarbilae ennai thaalaattamma
Un madiyilae ennai seeraattammaa
Chinnachinnamaam pookalilae
Devi un naatiyam kanden….kanden
Sittu koottangal vaarthaiyilae
Nee paada naa ketten
Ilaiyilae… pinjilae… kaayilae…. kaniyilae
Ellaam needhaanamma
Selvam needhaan amma
Un maarbilae ennai thaalaattamma
Un madiyilae ennai seeraattammaa…ammaaa
Naaraigal ellaam thavam seiyum
Nandugal ellaam nadamaadum
Koraiyum naanalum asaindhadum
Kolangal devi un vilaiyattu
Malaiyilae… maduvilae… nadhiyilae… alaiyilae
Ellaam needhaanamma
Selvam needhaan amma
Un maarbilae ennai thaalaattamma
Un madiyilae ennai seeraattammaa
Uyirgal yaavum en sondham
Undhan nizhalae en manjam
Iyarkai neeyae en annai
Iyarkai neeyae en annai
Engum kanden naan unnai
Kannilae …kanavilae… nenjilae… ninaivilae
Ellaam needhaanamma
Selvam needhaan amma
Un maarbilae ennai thaalaattamma
Un madiyilae ennai seeraattammaa…ammaa
Mother... ah...
In the sky, on the earth, in the waters, in the flowers,
you are in everything, Mother!
You are my true wealth, Mother!
Rock me to sleep against your chest, Mother!
Cradle me tenderly on your lap, Mother!
In the sky, on the earth, in the waters, in the flowers,
you are in everything, Mother!
You are my true wealth, Mother!
Rock me to sleep against your chest, Mother!
Cradle me tenderly on your lap, Mother!
In the tiny little flowers,
Goddess, I saw your dance... I saw it!
In the chirping chatter of flocks of little birds,
I heard you singing!
In the leaf, in the tender bud, in the raw fruit, in the ripe fruit,
you are in everything, Mother!
You are my true wealth, Mother!
Rock me to sleep against your chest, Mother!
Cradle me tenderly on your lap, Mother... Mother!
All the cranes stand still in quiet meditation,
and the crabs scurry all around,
the sedge grass and river reeds sway back and forth,
all these patterns, Goddess, are your playful creation!
In the mountains, in the sweet nectar, in the river, in the waves,
you are in everything, Mother!
You are my true wealth, Mother!
Rock me to sleep against your chest, Mother!
Cradle me tenderly on your lap, Mother...
All living beings are my own family,
and your protective shade is my bed.
O Nature, you are my Mother!
O Nature, you are my Mother!
Everywhere I look, I have seen you!
In my eyes, in my dreams, in my heart, in my memories,
you are in everything, Mother!
You are my true wealth, Mother!
Rock me to sleep against your chest, Mother!
Cradle me tenderly on your lap, Mother... Mother!
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This soulful song is a devotion to Nature personified as the universal Mother. The singer observes the divine presence of Mother Nature across all natural elements—sky, earth, water, plants, birds, and aquatic life. From the gradual maturation of fruits to the gentle swaying of reeds and the standing storks, every facet of creation is celebrated as a manifestation of her divine play and nurturing presence. The speaker surrenders completely to her embrace, finding comfort on her lap and realizing a deep spiritual connection where all living creatures form one universal family.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (Internal Rhyming Suffixes)

“Vaanilae mannilae neerilae poovilae”

The rhythmic repetition of the locative suffix '-ilae' across multiple words creates a smooth musical flow.

Personification

“Naaraigal ellaam thavam seiyum”

Stationary storks waiting for prey are poetically imagined as ascetics performing deep meditation ('thavam').

Metaphor

“Iyarkai neeyae en annai”

Nature is directly equated to the universal mother, establishing pantheistic love and unity.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Irulum Oliyum' (1971), directed by Puttanna Kanagal, featured music composed by K. V. Mahadevan and lyrics by Kannadasan. This song stands out as a poetic masterpiece honoring nature.

Keep listening

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